Published: Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 10:58 p.m.

Melissa Orr didn't know anything about sheep when her family purchased three ewes in 2005.

The only experience she'd had was with some miniature donkeys that her family had on their 2-acre farm. Still, after talking with a sheep owner at the N.C. Mountain State Fair about the benefits of raising the animals, her curiosity was piqued.

Now she and her husband, Bryan, have 44 sheep and are launching tours of their Mills River operation, Sycamore Farms. The tours will give the public an educational, inside look at what a sheep farm is all about.

That's something that has come with experience, Melissa Orr said.

"I was very fascinated with the fiber," she said of the sheep. "We just started researching and exploring different sheep."

She is fascinated by the science of raising sheep. The genetics behind the colors and different features amaze her at every turn.

Over the last eight years, the couple haven't just raised sheep as pets. They raise them to show. They use the wool to make different items, and they also breed the animals.

Sycamore Farms has become a legitimate sheep farm, and Bryan and Melissa Orr are shepherds.

"They were new and in a way, they weren't," Bryan Orr said. "I grew up on a dairy farm, and sheep are like cattle."

The couple had to learn the terminology. They had to learn about breeding. They had to learn about what it takes to win when showing sheep.

There's "a lot of education to it," Melissa Orr said.

That's part of the reason she wants to hold the tours. It's about the lack of public knowledge.

"From an education standpoint, there's just a lot people don't know about sheep," she added. "We just thought it'd be great for adults as well as kids."

Those who pay $5 for the tour will get the "whole sheep experience." Visitors will have access to the pastures to see the sheep. They'll be able to feed the sheep animal crackers, which is their favorite snack. In the "classroom," they can learn about wool and some of the processes for using it.

Visitors will see a spinning wheel demonstration, experience weaving on a peg loom with real wool and will take a sampling of wool — raw or processed — home with them.

At the end of the day, however, it's all about the furry critters that are smarter than most people give them credit for, Melissa Orr said.

"We like them," she said. "They're a lot of fun."

The farm will be open for tours year-round from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday for individuals or groups. For more information or to set up a tour, call 828-891-2487 or visit http://sycamorefarmsnc.blogspot.com.

<p>Melissa Orr didn't know anything about sheep when her family purchased three ewes in 2005.</p><p>The only experience she'd had was with some miniature donkeys that her family had on their 2-acre farm. Still, after talking with a sheep owner at the N.C. Mountain State Fair about the benefits of raising the animals, her curiosity was piqued.</p><p>Now she and her husband, Bryan, have 44 sheep and are launching tours of their Mills River operation, Sycamore Farms. The tours will give the public an educational, inside look at what a sheep farm is all about.</p><p>That's something that has come with experience, Melissa Orr said.</p><p>"I was very fascinated with the fiber," she said of the sheep. "We just started researching and exploring different sheep."</p><p>She is fascinated by the science of raising sheep. The genetics behind the colors and different features amaze her at every turn.</p><p>Over the last eight years, the couple haven't just raised sheep as pets. They raise them to show. They use the wool to make different items, and they also breed the animals.</p><p>Sycamore Farms has become a legitimate sheep farm, and Bryan and Melissa Orr are shepherds.</p><p>"They were new and in a way, they weren't," Bryan Orr said. "I grew up on a dairy farm, and sheep are like cattle."</p><p>The couple had to learn the terminology. They had to learn about breeding. They had to learn about what it takes to win when showing sheep.</p><p>There's "a lot of education to it," Melissa Orr said.</p><p>That's part of the reason she wants to hold the tours. It's about the lack of public knowledge.</p><p>"From an education standpoint, there's just a lot people don't know about sheep," she added. "We just thought it'd be great for adults as well as kids."</p><p>Those who pay $5 for the tour will get the "whole sheep experience." Visitors will have access to the pastures to see the sheep. They'll be able to feed the sheep animal crackers, which is their favorite snack. In the "classroom," they can learn about wool and some of the processes for using it.</p><p>Visitors will see a spinning wheel demonstration, experience weaving on a peg loom with real wool and will take a sampling of wool — raw or processed — home with them.</p><p>At the end of the day, however, it's all about the furry critters that are smarter than most people give them credit for, Melissa Orr said.</p><p>"We like them," she said. "They're a lot of fun."</p><p>The farm will be open for tours year-round from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday for individuals or groups. For more information or to set up a tour, call 828-891-2487 or visit http://sycamorefarmsnc.blogspot.com.</p><p>Reach Millwood at 828-694-7881 or at joey.millwood@blueridgenow.com.</p>